Powerline adapters offer an easy way to bring wired gigabit Ethernet connectivity to any area of your home that has an electrical outlet. Many of the latest adapters, including the D-Link Powerline AV2 2000 Gigabit Starter Kit (DHP-701AV) and the Netgear Powerline 1200 (PLP1200), are based on the popular HomePlug Power-line Communication (PLC) standard, which has been around for close to 14 years and has gone through several iterations, the latest of which is dubbed HomePlug AV2. The Comtrend G.hn PG-9172 Gigabit Powerline Adapter Kit ($129.99) is based on a relatively new PLC technology known as G.hn, which is supported by the HomeGrid Forum. Like HomePlug AV2, G.hn delivers gigabit networking via existing electrical wiring, but it also uses telephone and coaxial wiring, whereas HomePlug does not. The PG-9172 is a snap to install and is a solid performer, but our Editors' Choice powerline adapter, the D-Link DHP-701AV, delivers much faster throughput for the same price.

Design and Features
The PG-9172 can be purchased as a kit for $129.99 or separately for $69.99 per adapter. The kit contains two adapters, two Ethernet cables, and a Quick Install Guide. Because it uses G.hn powerline technology, it is not compatible with HomePlug powerline devices, so keep that in mind if you're looking to expand your existing PLC network. However, you can add up to 16 adapters on a single G.hn network.

Measuring 3.6 by 2.2 by 1.2 inches (HWD) the matte-white adapter is much smaller than the Netgear PLP1200, which measures 4.7 by 2.3 by 1.7 inches, but it doesn't offer a pass-through outlet like the Netgear model does. The adapter has a three-prong plug and uses Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO) technology to provide data transmissions of up to 1 gigabit per second. It has LED status indicators on the front for connection strength, network activity, and security, and sports a single Gigabit Ethernet port, a configuration button, and a reset button on the bottom.

Installation and Performance
Powerline networking is known for its quick and easy installation procedure, and the PG-1972 is no different. Simply plug one adapter into a wall outlet close to your router and connect it to the router using the included Ethernet cable. Plug the second adapter into any three-pronged wall outlet, press the configuration button, and when the Security LED begins to flash green, press the Configuration button on the second adapter. When both adapters show a solid-green LED, they are securely connected. Repeat this procedure when adding additional adapters.

I test Powerline adapters using an outlet in my living room that is in close proximity to my HDTV and Sony PS3 gaming console. The adapter is plugged directly into the outlet and is the only appliance that uses that outlet. I use the JPerf network measurement tool to create and send four data streams and measure throughput from point to point. The PG-1972 turned in a very respectable throughput of 62.3Mbps, which is nearly double the throughput that I saw with the Netgear PLP1200 adapter. The D-Link DHP-701AV provided the fastest throughput on this test (92.5Mbps). Measured throughput using a Wi-Fi (802.11n) connection at that same location was only 10.1Mbps. The PG-1972 handled Netflix streamed video and online gaming in our tests with aplomb; there was no noticeable stuttering, lag, or out-of-sync audio.

File transfers were also speedy. The PG-9172 needed 1 minute 17 seconds to transfer a 500MB folder containing a mix of music, video, photo, and document files between two PCs. It needed 4:56 to transfer a similarly loaded 1.5GB folder. The D-Link DHP-701AV transferred the 500MB folder in the same amount of time (1:17), but was more than a minute faster with the 1.5GB folder (3:54). The Netgear PLP1200 needed 2:19 for the 500MB folder and 7:49 for the 1.5GB folder.

Conclusion
With the Comtrend G.hn PG-9172 Powerline Adapter Kit, you can bring wired Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to areas of your home that are out of reach of your wireless network. It delivers relatively fast throughput and file transfer performance and couldn't be easier to install, and it won't block access to the second receptacle on your wall outlet. However, it uses G.hn powerline technology, which is still fairly new and isn't compatible with existing HomePlug devices. More importantly, it can't match the performance of our top pick for powerline adapters, the D-Link Powerline AV2 2000 Gigabit Starter Kit (DHP-701AV).

About the Author

As a Contributing Editor for PCMag, John Delaney has been testing and reviewing monitors, TVs, PCs, networking and smart home gear, and other assorted hardware and peripherals for almost 20 years. A 13-year veteran of PC Magazine's Labs (most recently as Director of Operations), John was responsible for the recruitment, training and management of t... See Full Bio

Comtrend G.hn PG-9172 Powerline...

Comtrend G.hn PG-9172 Powerline Adapter Kit

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